Packaging split in parts

Abstract

The present invention relates to a packaging comprising two containers (1, 2) each having an open end, and two lids. The two lids are a male lid (3) and a female lid (4) each having a topside and a underside and being adapted to close the open end of a container. The male lid (3) comprises a protrusion (7) and the female lid (4) comprises a cavity (8) adapted to receive the protrusion of the male lid. The protrusion (7) of the male lid has an edge (12) circulating at least a part of the protrusion at varying heights of the protrusion, and the cavity (8) comprises a ledge (13) mating the edge of the male lid, so that when the protrusion is received in the cavity the edge of the male lid abuts the ledge of the cavity. This results in that the two containers (1, 2) are combined into a single packing when the lids (3, 4) are arranged to close the opening of the containers and the protrusion (7) is received in the cavity (8). The packaging may be divided into two halves each comprising a container closed with a lid by turning movement of one of the lids relatively to the other lid resulting in the two lids being pushed away from each other by abutment between the ledge and the edge.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT / EP2013 / 051729, filed on Jan. 30, 2013, which claims priority to European Patent Application No. 12162552.9, filed Mar. 30, 2012, the entire contents of which are being incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a packaging comprising two containers each having an open end, and two lids. The two lids are a male lid and a female lid each having a topside and a underside and being adapted to close the open end of a container. The male lid comprises a protrusion and the female lid comprises a cavity adapted to receive the protrusion of the male lid. The protrusion of the male lid has an edge circulating at least a part of the protrusion at varying heights of the protrusion, and the cavity comprises a ledge mating the edge of the male lid, so that when the protrusion is received in the cavity the edge of the male ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The present invention hereby provides a packaging in which two containers are combined into a packaging by the two lids which interact in a manner where a protrusion of male lid is received in a cavity of a female lid. The invention allows a good clipping and assembling. Hence, the consumer can perceive the packaging as one selling unit and can easily manipulate it, avoiding risk of dropping off. Thanks to the technical features of the male, respectively female lids, the assembling of the two halves can advantageously be made by a vertical “clipping” force, no matter the orientation. In many preferred embodiments, the clipping between the cavity and the protrusion is provided by a tight locking between the cavity and protrusion—such as a firm fit—and / or one or more ridges arranged on the protrusion as disclosed in further detailes below. The clipping between a container and a lid may preferably also be provided by a firm fit and / or one or more ridges arranged on the lid and / or container as disclosed in further details below.

[0013]The packaging provides typically a controlled disassembly as a turning of one of the lids relatively to the other provides the effect that the two lids are pushed away from each other. Often, lids are to be removed from the containers by a motion being different from the relative turning of the lids. According to the invention a turning motion separates the lids from each other—and thereby separates two halves of the packaging from each other—without separating the lids from the containers which is advantageous at least to the extent that unintentional opening of the container may be made less often occurring.

[0014]Furthermore, as the two halves of the packaging may be separated from each other without removal of the lids from the respective containers, the content of one container can be consumed without removing the lid of the other container. This is particularly advantageous for the stability and freshness of the products contained there-in, for example in the case of frozen confections, wherein products can suffer from heat shock and loose some of their organoleptic qualities when repetitively taken in and out of a freezer. With the present invention, the content of one of the container can be taken out of the freezer and consumed while the other remains closed in the freezer, therefore preserving its freshness.

[0015]Another effect of the container is a play-toy effect. The container has often four elements which can be assembled and separated many times and it has been found that the assembly and separation can be quite entertaining.

Problems solved by technology

The convenience of such an execution is also limited.

In particular, once the packaging / grouping assembly feature is removed, there is nothing to keep the several units from the multipack together.

While such cartons solves the problem of keeping items such as cans in a fixed mutual relationship while being transported and stored, they still suffer from the problem that the carton maintains it original size although some or all cans are taken out from the carton, and at the same time the carton represent a disposal problem as the carton itself has no suitable use after being emptied from items.

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